Methods and apparatus for displaying information on the inside of a windshield

Abstract

An apparatus and method allows a driver to read a map, directions or text while driving a car without taking their eyes away from the road. An electronic display device may be mounted to, or made integrally with, a dashboard of an automobile. The electronic display device may be programmed to display inverted (mirror image) information thereupon. When the electronic display is disposed on the automobile's dashboard, the windshield may reflect the inverted image as a normal scene for the driver to visualize. Since the image is displayed on the windshield, the driver can see the image without having to take their eyes off the road.

1. A method for viewing information while operating a motor vehicle, the method comprising:
 displaying information on a portable electronic display device, the information being displayed as an inverted image, wherein the inverted image is created with a software application of the portable electronic device, the software application having computer code, disposed on a computer readable medium, and adapted to create the inverted image; 
 securing the portable electronic display device onto the dashboard of the motor vehicle; 
 reflecting the inverted image of the portable electronic display device onto an inside of a windshield of the motor vehicle; and 
 viewing a reflected image as a normal scene on the windshield. 
 
     
     
       2. The method of  claim 1 , further comprising varying brightness of the inverted image on the portable electronic display device depending on driving conditions. 
     
     
       3. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the inverted image includes at least one of speed data, radio station data, fuel data and geographic data. 
     
     
       4. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the reflected image is disposed on the windshield within a driver's normal line of sight.